At the age of 22, Charles Grey became a Member of Parliament for Northumberland and later became a Whig Prime Minister between 1830 and 1834.

During that time, he passed the Great Reform Bill of 1832 and abolished slavery throughout the British Empire.

When he was Prime Minister, he sent an envoy to China and was sent, in return, a gift which was the recipe for Earl Grey tea.

Grey's Monument was built between 1837 and 1838 to commemorate the passing of the great Reform Bill which increase the number of people entitled to a vote.

The statue - its funding of #2,100 came from public subscription - was designed by Benjamin Green who also designed Penshaw Monument.

In 1941, the statue of Earl Grey on the monument was struck by lightning, destroying the Earl's head. A new one was put in place seven years later. The replacement head was made by artist Ralph Hedley.

The monument, a listed building, has a winding staircase leading to a viewing platform.